But despite being willing to pay the Chilean £200,000-a-week in wages, United will face stiff competition for the player's signature from Real Madrid and Liverpool, who may now be best-placed to land the 27-year-old.

United could also step up their interest in Argentine winger Angel Di Maria with Real Madrid now ready to sell after landing James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos in the last couple of weeks.

The Red Devils still have substantial work to do if they are to land either Mats Hummels or Marco Reus from Borussia Dortmund.

GETTY

Angel Di Maria is available at Real Madrid

Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has seemingly ruled out either player being allowed to leave, even going so far as to say he'd eat a broomstick if stories about Hummels joining United proved to be true.

Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder is also in the same boat with Galatasaray denying that a move to United is imminent.

United are currently in the States on their pre-season tour but it seems that Woodward continues to work hard behind the scenes to improve the squad and it could be only a matter of time before the Manchester club move again to make a splash on the transfer market.